Storage at Indoor Golf Driving Range

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing storage at indoor golf driving ranges. In various embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods permit golfers to store their baggage in close proximity to the golfers while the golfers practice their swing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/551,430, filed 2011 Oct. 26, having the title“Storage at Indoor Golf Driving Range,” by Han and O'Grady, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to golf driving ranges, andmore particularly to storage systems and methods at indoor drivingranges.

2. Description of Related Art

Many golfers practice their swings at driving ranges. Indoor drivingranges allow for golfers to practice their swings when it is notpractical to practice outdoors. These indoor driving ranges are oftenlimited in space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1A shows a first embodiment for a storage system for a golf drivingrange with a storage bin in a starting position

FIG. 1B shows the storage system of FIG. 1A with the bin moved to oneside of a golf tee.

FIG. 2A shows a second embodiment for a storage system for a golfdriving range with a storage bin in a starting position.

FIG. 2B shows the storage system of FIG. 2A with the bin moved to oneside of a golf tee.

FIG. 3A shows a third embodiment for a storage system for a golf drivingrange with a storage bin in a closed configuration.

FIG. 3B shows the storage system of FIG. 3B with the storage bin in anopen configuration.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a storage system for a golf drivingrange that utilizes an elevated platform.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment for a storage system for a golf drivingrange with overhead baggage storage.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of atrajectory-calculating system for a virtual golf driving range.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the trajectory-calculating system of FIG.6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Many golfers practice their swings at driving ranges. An indoor drivingrange allows a golfer to practice his golf-swing when it is notpractical to practice outdoors, such as during inclement weather. Theseindoor driving ranges are often limited in space. Thus, the golferfrequently leaves his belongings or baggage (e.g., briefcase, computerbag, suitcase, other luggage, etc.) in his car or elsewhere, rather thanbringing those belongings into the indoor driving ranges.

In the event that the golfer brings baggage to the indoor driving range,the golfer must leave the baggage in a location that is sufficiently farfrom the golfer so that the baggage does not interfere with the golfer'sswing. In short, the baggage should be placed in a location that issufficiently far from the golfer that a golf club, during its swing,would not make contact with the baggage.

For typical golfers, this is a distance that is greater than about two(2) meters from the golfer, since the golfer's reach is determined bythe length of his arm in conjunction with the length of a golf club.Additionally, the baggage should be placed sufficiently far from thegolfer so that it does not psychologically interfere with the golfswing. In other words, if the baggage is too close, then the golfer'sswing will be affected because of the golfer's paranoia that he will hitthe bags, even though the baggage is in reality beyond the physicalreach of the golf club. For this reason, the baggage is usually placedin a location that is quite some distance from the location where thegolfer practices his swing.

Typical indoor golfing ranges, such as those associated with indoorsports complexes, often provide storage lockers within the facility tohouse baggage and other personal items, the golfer may bring inside withhim. These storage lockers are usually provided in a central location inthe indoor golfing range remote to the actual driving range. Suffice itto say that in a typical indoor golfing range, baggage or other personalitems that the golfer may choose to store while practicing are stored ina remote location, usually out of sight of the golfer. In settings suchas typical sports complexes or other entertainment venues, it is notcritical to have the baggage or other personal items effectivelyunattended.

As a result, there currently exists no system to provide storage forgolfers that wish or need to keep their baggage nearby while theypractice their golf swing at indoor driving ranges. This is becauseproviding a storage system in close proximity to where the golferpractices his swing will naturally interfere (both physically andpsychologically) with the golfer's swing. Conversely, moving the baggageto a distance that is quite some distance from the golfer will result inthe baggage being effectively unattended.

Those having skill in the art understand the difficulty of finding anadequate solution to this problem. This is because the degree ofinterference from the golfer's baggage is directly proportional to theproximity of the golfer to his baggage. In other words, as the baggageis moved closer to the golfer, the tendency of the baggage to interferewith the golfer's swing increases. Thus, conventional wisdom teachesthat baggage should be placed in a location that is quite distant fromthe golfer. For this reason, even on traditional golf courses, the golfbags are either left in a golf cart, which is parked several metersaway, or placed at a distance of several meters behind the golfer.

In view of this conventional wisdom, placing baggage in close proximityto a golfer would make it effectively impossible for the golfer toproperly practice his swing. Thus, one having ordinary skill in the artwill understand that it is not a trivial task to construct a storagesystem that is in close proximity to the location where the golfer willpractice his swing.

The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to such storage systemsthat buck conventional wisdom and allow for a golfer to store hisbaggage in close proximity without the baggage interfering with thegolfer practicing his swing. Having provided a general overview of theinventive concepts, reference is now made in detail to the descriptionof the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While severalembodiments are described in connection with these drawings, there is nointent to limit the disclosure to the embodiment or embodimentsdisclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover allalternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

In its broadest embodiment, the storage system is located within two (2)meters of a golfer, yet configured so as to avoid interfering with thegolfer's swing. This allows the golfer to attend to his baggage whilesimultaneously practicing his golf swing. In a more preferredembodiment, the storage system is located within one (1) meter of thegolfer, yet beyond the reach of the golfer's swing. Ideally, the storagesystem is located less than a half (½) meter from the golfer but, again,beyond the reach of the golfer's swing.

FIG. 1A shows a first embodiment for a storage system for a golf drivingrange with a storage bin 100 in a starting position. In this firstembodiment, the storage system uses four (4) bars 110 to hold the bin100 at or near ground level. One having ordinary skill will appreciatethat depending on an area available to place the storage system the barsmay be equal in length. Alternatively, two of the four bars 110 can havea first length and the remaining two bars can have a second length, thesecond length being less than the first length. An example of the latterconfiguration is depicted in FIG. 1.

In operation, the four bars 110 allow for the golfer to place hisbaggage in the bin 120, as shown in FIG. 1A, and then move the bin 100to one side of a golf tee 120, as shown in FIG. 1B, in order to practicehis golf swing. To accommodate both left- and right-handed golfers, thebars 110 are coupled to the bin 100 such that the bin 100 can be movedto the right or the left of the golf tee 120. Once the bin is moved toone side or the other, a fastening mechanism, such as a latch or amagnet, hold the bin in place. When the golfer is finished practicinghis swing, the mechanism can be released and the bin returns to thecentral starting position. One advantage of this embodiment is that thebaggage can be securely stowed, i.e. locked, in the bin 120 while thegolfer practices. Thus the golfer does not have to worry about hisbaggage being stolen while he practices, which adds to his peace of mindallowing for increased focus during practice. Additionally thisembodiment is that the bin 120 is at or near ground level. However, thisembodiment also has a disadvantage, since the bin at ground level isstill visible to the golfer, thereby having the potential topsychologically affect the golfer's swing.

FIG. 2A shows a second embodiment for a storage system for a golfdriving range with a storage bin in a starting position. Similar to theembodiments disclosed in relation to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the secondembodiment keeps the bin 200 at or near ground level. In this secondembodiment, the bin can be moved to one side of a golf tee 210, a shownin FIG. 2B, using a slider mechanism 220. The use of a slider mechanismallows the baggage to be moved out of the path of the golfer's swingwith the simple nudge of a foot. One having ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the slider mechanism 220 can be made of any type ofhardware that can be affixed to a floor and permits the bin 200 toslide, aided by a user, along a fixed track. This embodiment has similaradvantages to the embodiments disclosed in relation to FIGS. 1A and 1B.Similar to the embodiments disclosed in relation to FIGS. 1A and 1B, onedisadvantage of the slider mechanism 200 is that the bin is highlyvisible to the golfer and, therefore, may hinder the golfer's swing.

Suffice it to say that while FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B may provide for asimple storage space, these are not the most preferred embodiments,since the possibility of interference still exists. With this in mindattention is turned to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which show a third embodimentfor a storage system for a golf driving range with a storage bin in aclosed configuration (FIG. 3A) and an open configuration (FIG. 3B).Unlike the embodiments described in relation to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and2B, the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B allows the golfer to store hisbaggage in a location that is completely beyond the reach of thegolfer's swing, even though the luggage is physically located in veryclose proximity (in some embodiments less than a half meter) to thegolfer. A distance to the golfer is measured as the distance of thebaggage to a golf tee 300, as a golf ball will be placed on the tee 300and the golf club will ideally make contact with the ball at the tee300.

This third embodiment shows a storage bin 310 that is located below thegolfer (or below the golf tee 300). By elevating a driving area 320, asshown in FIG. 3A, the bin 310 can be placed underneath the driving area320, completely out of reach of the golfer. Access to the bin 310 isgained via a pop-up mechanism as shown in FIG. 3B. When activated, thebin 310, which is underneath the driving area 320, rotates about an axisexposing the storage bin 310. Once the golfer has stored his baggage,the bin can be closed by pushing downward on a surface until the drivingarea 320 is level and parallel to the ground, as shown in FIG. 3A. Onehaving ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that opening of the bin310 can be accomplished by a simple pressure activated release mechanismor any other suitable mechanism. This mechanism also holds the bin 310closed so that when the golfer is standing on the driving area, thedriving area does not flip up and knocks the golfer off the drivingarea. Stated differently, the mechanism also locks the driving area inplace to prevent accidental opening of the bin 310.

The embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B is highly preferred, since thebaggage is literally located at the golfer's feet, yet the baggage isphysically and visibly out-of-reach of the golfer, thereby removing anyinterference with the golfer's swing. For many of these embodiments, thesize of the storage space is similar to that of carry-on luggage forairlines. Thus, should one wish to operate an indoor golf driving rangeat an airport, this type of storage mechanism allows for travelers tostore their carry-on bags in a location that does not interfere withtheir golf swing, yet is within the distance that is required by theTransportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. Currently, thecarry-on baggage size limit is a length of approximately 22 inches toapproximately 24 inches, a width of approximately 13 inches toapproximately 17 inches, and a height of approximately 8 inches toapproximately 10 inches. However, as one can appreciate, thesedimensions may be adjusted as needed.

Turning now to FIG. 4, which shows a fourth embodiment of a storagesystem for a golf driving range that utilizes an elevated platform.Similar to the embodiment disclosed in relation to FIGS. 3A and 3B, thefourth embodiment permits the golfer to store his baggage underneath hisfeet. Thus, FIG. 4 is also a preferred embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the golfer practices his swing from an elevatedplatform 400 that has a driving area 410 with a golf tee 420. Theelevated platform 400 creates a space 430 underneath that is suitablefor storing baggage. In the fourth concept, the baggage is again locatedbelow the tee at less than approximately one-half (½) meter (or fifty(50) centimeters (cm)) from the tee 420. In this embodiment, the storagesystem comprises a storage bin 440 that is located in the space 430underneath the tee, and coupled to the underside of the platform 400 byeither a four-bar mechanism 450 (similar to that shown in FIG. 1) or aslider mechanism (similar to that shown in FIG. 2). Unlike FIG. 1 orFIG. 2, the four-bar mechanism 450 or the slider mechanism is locatedbelow the surface so that the storage bin 440 is physically beyond thereach of the golf club and visibly removed from the golfer's sight,thereby removing all interference with the golfer's swing. For someembodiments, the bin 440 and associated mechanism may be omitted,allowing the baggage to be stored simply in the space underneath thedriving area. The embodiments that omit the bin 440 are not well suitedfor use when it is desirable to lock up baggage.

Again for this embodiment, the size of the storage space can be similarto that of carry-on luggage for airlines. Thus, should one wish tooperate an indoor golf driving range at an airport, this type of storagemechanism allows for travelers to store their carry-on bags in alocation that does not interfere with their golf swing, yet is withinthe distance that is required by the Transportation SecurityAdministration (TSA) and airport authorities.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment for a storage system for a golf drivingrange with overhead baggage storage. Although not the most preferredembodiment, the fifth embodiment permits a golfer to store his baggagein an overhead-style bin 500, similar to that found in many airplanes.The bin 500 is supported over a driving area 510 by a suitable supportstructure. For example, the bin 500 may be placed on a wall or apartition that divides different driving areas. Thus, this embodimenthas the advantage of creating privacy from adjoining driving areas,which may help to improve a golfer's focus and concentration.

However, the reason that this is not the most preferred embodiment isbecause the golfer's swing carries the head of the golf club above thegolfer's head. In other words, the arcuate path of the golf-club headmay be such that the golf-club head comes into close proximity with thestorage bin. However, the interference from the overhead-style bin canbe ameliorated by positioning the golfer so that he is facing thestorage bin, since the golf-club head is in front of the golfer duringthe low part of the swing, but behind the golfer during the high part ofthe swing.

For some venues, a virtual driving range may be desirable. For example,if the driving range were located indoors where space is very limited,such as would be in an airport or similar setting, it is not practicalto hit golf balls over large physical distances. However, in order toadequately practice and improve their swing, golfers still require somefeedback as to how the ball was hit. Thus, a virtual system allowsgolfers to assess the performance of their swing, as given by acalculated and virtually displayed flight of a golf ball, without theneed to actually hit a golf ball over long physical distances. Asvirtual driving ranges are known in the art, only a truncated discussionis provided herein. Typically, a golfer hits a ball from a tee in thedirection of a screen that serves two main functions: (1) collect dataabout a golf ball trajectory; and (2) provide a virtual image of a golfhole or driving range to provide a setting for the golfer. As one canappreciate, all virtual driving ranges require some system and/or methodto collect and process the data concerning the trajectory of the golfball in order to create a virtual image of the flight path of the golfball. Current virtual driving range systems use video cameras andtriangulation to track the ball. These systems are complex and moreexpensive.

With this in mind, attention is turned to FIG. 6, which shows aperspective view of one embodiment of a novel trajectory-calculatingsystem for a virtual golf driving range, and FIG. 7, which shows a frontview of the trajectory-calculating system of FIG. 6. The use of atrajectory calculating system significantly reduces complexity and costof the virtual driving range system. In its simplest form, a trajectoryof a golf ball is calculated from a three (3) point measurement of thegolf ball. These locations include: a location of a golf tee (where thegolf ball originates) 600; a location of the golf ball in mid-flight (asmeasured by a first set of sensors) 610; and a location of the golf ballwhen it hits a back screen or net 630 (as measured by a second set ofsensors 620).

For the trajectory-calculating system, the mid-flight measurement isdetected by the first set of sensors 610 that preferably measure theball's vertical and horizontal position in a first measuring plane inspace. The first measuring plain is placed up to approximately 12 feet,preferably 4-8 feet from a golf tee, so the first set of sensors do notdistract the golfer. A back-screen measurement is also detected by thesecond set of sensors 620 that measure the vertical and horizontalposition of the ball in a second measuring plane as it hits the backscreen. In other words, the second measuring plane is right at thescreen 630. Preferably the screen 630 and the second set of sensors 620are placed approximately 15 feet to approximately 20 feet from the golftee 600, however, the screen 630 can be placed at any suitable distancefrom the golf tee 600. The exact location of the first set of sensors610 and the second set of sensors 620 depends primarily on physicalspace available for the indoor driving range embodiments disclosedherein.

In operation, the first set of sensors 610 are configured and placedsuch that the initial trajectory of the ball can be calculated from thepositional measurements collected by the first set of sensors 610, usingthe golf tee 600 as a reference point. The positional measurementscollected by the second set of sensors 620 are compared with thepositional measurements and trajectory calculations from the first setof sensors to determine ball spin and flight path. Ball speed can becalculated by measuring the time between when the ball passes throughthe first set of sensors 610 and when it passes through the second setof sensors 620. Alternatively, ball speed can be measured by calculatingthe time between when the ball leaves the tee 600 and when it passes thefirst set of sensors 610. For these embodiments, a third sensor can becoupled to the tee 600 to measure when the ball leaves the tee 600.

Once the three positions are known, a near-real-time fit of the ball'strajectory can be calculated and the ball's eventual path can bedisplayed on the screen. For simpler embodiments, the near-real-time fitcan be determined by a linear fit of the two trajectory calculationsfrom the first set of sensors 610 and second set of sensors 620.However, for a preferred embodiment, the near-real-time fit can bedetermined by a polynomial function that is fitted to the three (3)known points (e.g., tee 600, first set of sensors 610, and second set ofsensors 620), and simulates the remaining ball path with the effect ofball speed, ball rotation, and drag. Some embodiments may employhigher-order polynomials or sine functions to determine thenear-real-time fit of the ball's trajectory. Suffice it to say, thepositional data can be used as input data for an algorithm to give theball a starting trajectory, a starting velocity, and a startingrotation, as well as take into account how a golf ball flies through theair with drag, ball lift, and spin. In other embodiments, a simulation,as opposed to a curve fit, may be completed in near-real-time or rightafter the ball passes both sets of sensors. The simulation is thenconverted to an image displayed on the screen for the golfer to see. Forpreferred embodiments, the software can be developed using open-sourceor other commercially available software. This allows for a verystreamlined and cost-effective system to measure a golf ball'strajectory after the golfer has hit the ball from the tee 600.

One can appreciate that it is within the scope of this disclosure thatthe disclosed trajectory-calculating system can be practiced incombination any of the aforementioned embodiments disclosing storagesystems for baggage for a driving range. Although exemplary embodimentshave been shown and described, it will be clear to those of ordinaryskill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterationsto the disclosure as described may be made. For example, the bin may bemade of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. Additionally,the track and the bars used to couple the bin to the driving area can bemade of metal, plastic or any other suitable material. The driving areacan be any appropriate shape or size and have any type of artificialgrass surface. The All such changes, modifications, and alterationsshould therefore be seen as within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a driving area having agolf tee; a storage bin underneath the driving area, the storage binlocated less than approximately fifty (50) centimeters (cm) from thegolf tee; and a golf-ball-trajectory sensing and display system,comprising: a back screen, the back screen located a distance from thegolf tee; a tee sensor located near the golf tee; a first set of sensorsto measure a first position of a golf ball in mid-flight, the first setof sensors located between the golf tee and the back screen; a secondset of sensors for measuring a second position of the golf ball as thegolf ball makes contact with the back screen; and a computer coupled tothe tee sensor, the computer further coupled to the first set ofsensors, the computer further coupled to the second set of sensors, thecomputer further coupled to the back screen, the computer comprisingsoftware to calculate a trajectory of a golf ball based on positionaldata gathered by the tee sensor, the first set of sensors, and thesecond set of sensors, the computer further comprising software todisplay a virtual image representing the calculated trajectory of thegolf ball on the back screen.
 2. A system comprising: a driving areahaving a golf tee; and a storage bin coupled to the driving area, thestorage bin being located less than approximately two (2) meters fromthe golf tee.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a slidingtrack, the sliding track for coupling the storage bin to the drivingarea.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a golfball-trajectory sensing and virtual display system.
 5. The system ofclaim 2, the driving area being elevated above ground level.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, the storage bin further being located underneath thedriving area.
 7. The system of claim 5, further comprising a golfball-trajectory sensing and virtual display system.
 8. The system ofclaim 6, the storage bin being integrated with an underside of thedriving area such that the storage bin is less than approximatelytwenty-five (25) centimeters (cm) from the golf tee.
 9. The system ofclaim 8, further comprising a golf ball-trajectory sensing and virtualdisplay system.
 10. The system of claim 2, the storage bin being locatedless than approximately one (1) meter from the golf tee.
 11. The systemof claim 2, the storage bin being located less than approximately fifty(50) centimeters from the golf tee.
 12. The system of claim 2, thestorage bin being located less than approximately twenty-five (25)centimeters from the golf tee.
 13. A golf-ball-trajectory sensing anddisplay system, comprising: a projection area located a distance fromthe golf tee; a first sensor located near the golf tee; a second sensorto measure a first position of a golf ball in mid-flight, the firstsensor located between the golf tee and the projection area; a thirdsensor for measuring a second position of the golf ball as the golf ballmakes contact with the projection area; and a computer coupled to thefirst sensor, the computer further coupled to the second sensor, thecomputer further coupled to the third sensor, the computer comprisingsoftware to calculate a trajectory of a golf ball based on positionaldata gathered by the first sensor, the second sensor, and the thirdsensor, the computer further comprising software to display a virtualimage representing the calculated trajectory of the golf ball on theprojection area.